A/N: Hope you like this chapter! This is another sort of filler chapter to get us to the beginning of everything.
Chapter 3
Hermione woke up the morning of September 1st feeling excited and happy, she would finally be able to go to school and learn to perform magic and use her wand! She quickly showered and dressed, throwing her curly hair into a ponytail, and quickly checked over her room in the Leaky Cauldron for any of her belongings. Once she was sure she had left nothing behind she picked up her trunk and made her way to the door leading to the muggle side of London. She hadn't been out on the muggle side much since moving to the Leaky, she had continued working for Mr. Hubert but not as often. He was excited that she was off to school, although saddened he would no longer have her help that he relied so much on.
Walking through London with her trunk was uncomfortable, there were so many muggles rushing to their jobs, getting on buses and calling taxis. She enjoyed observing everyone as she walked towards Kings Cross Station, she noticed that there weren't many women running to and from businesses, it was mostly men in suits carrying briefcases, and the few women that were dressed in a skirt and blouse seemed to be getting unwanted attention from the men. She learned a lot of desires of men on her short walk, she didn't understand everything but from the laughter of the other men and the disgust on the woman's face, she determined it was derogatory.
'No matter where you go, there is always the opinion someone is less than,' Hermione thought to herself.
It was women and people of colour in the muggle world and muggleborn's in the wizarding world. Hermione had to work hard for her future no matter where she ended up. She would prove herself; she would show everyone she could do anything even if she was a girl, or a Muggleborn. If she could help it, she would have chosen to be born to different parents, but no one could choose that, and yet she was punished for it. By her parents themselves, and now the witches and wizards of her world.
It wasn't long before Hermione made it to the station. She recalled what Regulus and Barty told her about the platform, she just had to trust her magic and walk through the barrier and she would be at Platform 9 and 3/4 where she could find a compartment for them to sit in. Regulus had informed her that his parents did not allow him on the train until the last bell, they wanted to use every moment to remind him not to be like his brother, to live up to the family expectation and be sorted into Slytherin. Barty also told her he likely wouldn't be on the train until the last call as his mother was having a hard time letting him go, she was frail and lonely, and with only his father for company he promised he would stay with her as long as he could. As much as he hated his father, he loved his mother and would do anything for her.
Hermione was jealous of the love Barty had for his mother, and Regulus had for his brother. They both had someone in their family they actually loved and had by their side, while she had no one. When she did have someone, like Mrs. Anderson, her parents made sure that they wouldn't be around long. Even after Mrs. Anderson, Hermione suspected that they continued to monitor the teachers she received and had the headmaster interfere if a teacher appeared too concerned with her. No matter, they had no more control, they could no longer stop her from interacting with teachers, learning how to be a lawyer or anything she wanted to be. She would not be just a wife and mother; she would be respected.
Standing before the pillar reading Platform 9 and Platform 10, Hermione considered her next step. This was it; this step and she would be on the path to what she always wanted. The path her parents told her she could never have. Taking a deep breath, Hermione stepped towards the wall, her trunk behind her. She felt a warm sensation over her entire body and when she blinked, she was no longer staring at a blank wall, she was staring at a beautiful steam engine train, it was red and black, with gold writing 'Hogwarts Express'.
Hermione could have jumped up and down squealing at the sight, it was another piece of proof that magic was real and she wasn't a freak! Around her were other children getting ready to go off to Hogwarts, older children standing together in groups of already formed friends, young children her age crying and saying good bye to their parents for the first time. She spotted Regulus in the distance with a stern looking woman with black hair and dark eyes, a man also with black hair but with grey throughout, and light eyes like Regulus. His mother and father, she guessed, and they were both speaking to a boy that looked similar to Regulus, a little older, however he was completely different. Sirius Black held himself like Regulus, an air of nobility, yet he appeared nonchalant and bored, looking at his nails and smirking as if he didn't care what his parents were saying to him. Regulus stood stiffly beside him, a look of pain in his eyes as his brother angered their parents more and more, knowing his brother would likely turn on him after he was sorted into Slytherin.
Hermione sighed and turned away from the family, Regulus had already explained the dynamic so many times. She really hoped Sirius didn't prove his brother right and ignore him for being a Slytherin, the only house Regulus was suited for. He was a cunning and sneaky boy, managing to escape his home nearly every day to spend time with a Muggleborn and son of an Auror.
She made her way to the train to find a compartment, and found one near the back that was empty. There were a few times she felt the need to enter a compartment and say hello to the person occupying it, one with a red-haired girl and black-haired boy, and another with a sandy haired boy with scars on his arms. However, she decided against it because she promised her boys that she would ride with them and didn't want to break that by sitting with other people.
Sitting down and looking out the window she continued to observe. She spotted Barty hugging his mum, a blonde, petite woman with shining blue eyes, she wasn't sure if they were shining from tears or not. As she watched everyone, she started to notice that some of the older students were using magic to get their trunks on the train or prank some of their friends. Deciding that she wouldn't get in trouble if she cast some spells, she decided to try some of the ones that caught her attention while she was reading over the summer.
Holding her wand in her hand felt right, it was like an extension of her arm. She absolutely adored her vine and phoenix feather wand, the intricate vines on the handle that spread to the tip and the carved leaf designs had Hermione convinced her wand was the most beautifully designed. She remembered some of the ones she tried, they reminded her just of sticks she found in the park, or chopsticks, and was so happy hers was so unique and was obviously carefully designed.
She held her wand and performed the levitation charm, not only did she feel a warm sensation move up her hand and arm, and the spell successfully levitate her book, there was also a feeling of familiarity. It was like her body was humming in happiness at the familiarity. Hermione smiled as she looked at the floating book, she had done it! She had performed magic! She wasn't a freak, she belonged here, it wasn't a mistake.
Hermione pulled down her trunk and pulled out a few items, she found her old Pride and Prejudice book and pointed her wand at the bent corner and whispered the repairing charm. Her book magically repaired itself, it looked good as new as if it was just yesterday Mrs. Anderson gave it to her. Hermione continued to try the spells she knew would be taught this year, the locking and unlocking charms, the green and red sparks spell, and the severing and mending spell. Every single spell she completed successfully the first time and each time Hermione felt that feeling of déjà vu.
After finishing mending the jumper that she severed the sleeve from, her compartment door opened to reveal Regulus.
"Hi, Hermione!" he greeted happily, sitting down on the seat across from her.
"Hi Reggie," she replied, giggling when his nose scrunched up at the nickname.
"Must you really, 'Mione?" he sighed with an eyeroll.
"Oh, come on Reggie, you love it," laughed Hermione, the compartment door opening again, "Barty!"
"Hello Hermione, Regulus," said Barty, dropping onto the seat beside Hermione, "I am so happy to finally be off to Hogwarts!"
"I can't wait to see the castle, see the ghosts, and learn so much!" Hermione squealed. Both boys laughed at Hermione's excitement, they were just as surprised as her when she got so excited, she squealed. She was surprised to be that excited about something and trusted the boys enough to be comfortable around them, while the boys were just surprised to see her act like a girl. Obviously, they knew she was a girl, but when they first started spending time together, she was so quiet and reserved. However, now if anyone was to ever describe Hermione as closed off or reserved or cold, they wouldn't be able to contain their laughter. The girl she portrayed to the public and they girl she really was, were complete opposites.
"Oh 'Mione, our little bookworm," laughed Barty. He had changed the most in the short time they had all been friends, no longer was he the stuttering, shy, submissive boy. After a few run ins with older students rough housing in Diagon Alley and knocking into Hermione, he became very protective of her and stood up to anyone who pushed them around. Without his father around to belittle him, his mother to smother him, and having Regulus and Hermione laughing and joking with him, a confident and happy boy emerged.
"Says the boy who sneaks his dad's Auror books!" snickered Hermione, making Barty sputter.
"For you!" he cried out, causing Regulus to burst out laughing. Hermione and Barty glared at each other before bursting out laughing themselves.
The train began moving out of the station and the journey to Hogwarts began. The trio talked and laughed the whole train ride there, playing Bertie Botts roulette, Hermione ending the game when she got a vomit flavoured one. They talked about how they would spend time together if they were in different houses, and Regulus gave them warnings against his brother and his friends the 'Marauders' and their pranks.
Half-way there, Hermione mentioned her practicing of the spells and admitted to performing them all the first time.
"Wait, all of them? Your first try?" asked Regulus, his eyebrows drawn together in a frown.
"Yes, I tried nearly all of them from this year's curriculum. I just wanted to see what performing magic was like, and when I did it, I felt this warm feeling move up my arm and then I felt this like content, humming feeling wash over me. It felt familiar but I don't know why, and the spell just worked," explained Hermione, "Why, is that not normal?"
"Not really, no. We learn simple spells to start and even then, it can take numerous tries to get it right. Especially when it's the first time you have ever performed magic intentionally. It's like walking, when you are a baby, you can't just get up and walk, you need to build your muscles from crawling and then just standing. Magic is the same, when we are born, we have magic inside us, but it only releases during emotional and accidental outbursts. To turn that from accidental outbursts to intentional release of magic through a wand, it takes training," explained Barty.
Hermione was confused, how could she a Muggleborn witch, be doing this? She had no training, no exposure to magic before this summer, even her outbursts were few and far between. Regulus had pulled out a book from his trunk and was browsing through it thoughtfully.
"Here, try this spell," Regulus spoke up, leaning towards her pointing at a passage in the book, the Expelliarmus charm. Hermione read the description, it was a disarming charm to remove a wand from enemies' hand, she read the wand movement and incantation numerous times before picking up her wand and attempting it.
Not only did Regulus' wand slip out of his hand and fly towards Hermione, but he was also thrown back against his seat, knocking the wind out of him.
"Oh Reggie!" cried out Hermione, dropping her wand and jumping across to sit beside Regulus, "Are you okay?"
"M'Fine" he breathed out, his arms wrapped around his stomach, "Just winded is all."
"Damn, 'Mione, what the hell was that?" asked Barty quietly.
"I don't know! Was that supposed to happen?" Hermione asked, her voice quivering and tears in her eyes.
"Maybe a seventh year or teacher, but not a first year," spoke Regulus, his breath finally back to him.
"How can this be? I'm a Muggleborn!" Hermione worried her lip.
"It just means you're powerful, proves once more my family's beliefs are bullshit. Blood doesn't matter, 'Mione, you're a powerful witch. I would just be careful in class, maybe play your power down?" said Regulus, Barty nodding his head in agreement.
"If what my dad says is true, there's some dark wizard they can't catch. My father plays it down, but they whisper about him in the ministry. Some think it will be like Grindelwald, and he reached out to strong witches and wizards. I agree with Regulus, for now play your power down, you'll be overlooked for being Muggleborn, so don't draw attention to yourself," explained Barty.
"I'm not even at school yet and already having problems," said Hermione sadly, "I just wanted to prove I belonged here and now I can't even show my abilities?"
"Show your smarts, answer the questions, just don't put all your power behind the spell. Pretend not to get it right until maybe the third or fourth time trying it. This just proves you do belong here, 'Mione, you are powerful. We just want to protect you," said Regulus sadly. He knew how much it hurt Hermione to be judged for her muggle parents, judged for them not having magic, while they judged her for having it. His family would kill her and him if they knew he was friends with her, but he couldn't care less. No one in Slytherin would question him, he was a Black, one of the highest families in the wizarding world. Lucius Malfoy and the Black sisters might be a problem but he could talk his way out of it easily.
"Okay, if you think that would be best," said Hermione, the spark in her eyes dulled slightly, "I'm going to go change into my robes."
Hermione left the compartment and made her way to the toilet to change into her school robes, however she ran into someone before she could make it.
"Hello, little firstie," said the voice, the tone laced with amusement. Hermione looked up to see Sirius Black, a boy that looked so like his brother. She noticed that they had similar eyes, but while Regulus had stormy grey eyes, Sirius had molten silver that were twinkling with mirth.
"Hello," Hermione replied quietly, even if she wasn't feeling saddened by her revelation, she was still reserved and quiet around others.
"What's your name?" he asked curiously.
"McCallister," she answered shortly, "Hermione McCallister."
"Huh, some advice then, McCallister. Based on your last name, might want to avoid my brother," Sirius replied, the mirth gone from his eyes and a seriousness overtaking them.
"Don't remember asking for advice, and I'll make my own decisions, thank you," Hermione said tightly, she hated that apparently Sirius believed Regulus was like their parents.
"Just trying to avoid you some future pain," Sirius shrugged and walked away, calling over his shoulder "He'll be a Slytherin."
Hermione huffed and turned back to the toilet, she changed into her uniform that lacked a house affiliation and returned to the compartment. Both boys were also changed and apologized for telling her to hide her true talent. She told them it was okay, she understood and upon thinking about it, agreed with them. She needed an element of surprise and if anyone wanted to try and undermine her, bully her, or hurt her, well she had her defense ready. Hermione decided to keep her interaction with Sirius to herself, she didn't want to hurt Regulus with Sirius' opinion of him. She didn't care what other people told her, she knew Reggie for who he really was, he was her best friend, along with Barty.
-oOo-
They finally arrived at Hogsmeade station and were directed towards the boats to cross the lake, a large bushy haired man explaining four to a boat. Together Regulus, Barty, and Hermione got on a boat, along with a girl with strawberry blonde hair and thick red framed glasses that introduced herself as Amelia Bones.
When Hermione first saw the castle against the night sky, she felt that familiar sensation wash over her again.
She was home.
The boats docked and together the students were led into the castle towards Professor McGonagall, who introduced them to the school. She explained that they would be sorted and their house would become their family, but Hermione disagreed, she had already found her family. Regulus and Barty were her brothers for life. They were then led towards the Great Hall to be sorted into their new house, making Hermione nervous that it would be in front of the whole school.
Regulus and Barty held her hands and squeezed them to give her confidence, they knew she was nervous. She returned the gesture, giving them both their own confidence that no matter what they would stick together.
Regulus was called up first, sorted into Slytherin almost as soon as the hat touched his head. She saw him look towards the Gryffindor table before his head dropped in disappointment. Hermione looked over and saw that Sirius was shaking his head and refusing to look at Regulus, it broke her heart to know Regulus was rejected by the one person he loved just for being a Slytherin.
Barty was up not long after, his sorting took longer than Regulus', however the hat finally decided that Ravenclaw would be best for him. It was quite a few children before Hermione herself was called up. Professor McGonagall gave her an encouraging smile as she stepped up to the three-legged stool, she sat down and waited for the Professor to place the hat on her head.
"Ahh, an interesting mind I see here," spoke the Sorting Hat, giving Hermione a fright. She hadn't expected a conversation with the hat, "Some people are harder to place, also, sitting alone until I'm needed for one day a year, leaves me quite desperate for some chatter."
Hermione wanted to giggle at this, but she remained stoic in front of the school.
"You are difficult to place my dear, cunning and resourceful would make Slytherin a great choice but I do not feel you will succeed there due to your blood status. You may be loyal and a hard worker, but Hufflepuff couldn't handle your fierceness. Gryffindor would be great, you are loyal and brave, and for your future you will need that in droves, but for now you need to learn, you want to learn. That is why I think you will do well in," the hat spoke to her before calling out to the hall, "RAVENCLAW!"
Hermione let out a breath, Professor McGonagall removed the hat from her head and she made her way towards Barty at Ravenclaw table. He was clapping and smiling along with their house, his uniform already showing the blue and bronze colours. Hermione looked down at her own robes and watched as they changed to show her own blue and bronze, with a Ravenclaw patch on the breast pocket.
She looked over at Regulus and smiled, he gave her a small wave and smile in return. She could see his disappointment that he was alone without them, however, she knew he knew that was the best place for all of them. Ravenclaw was neutral, he could sit with them during breakfast, lunch, and dinner without any fuss, whereas if she was a Gryffindor, no one would keep quiet about them spending time together.
Barty and Hermione introduced themselves to their fellow Ravenclaws, however they mostly kept to themselves. They enjoyed the feast and listened to the announcements from Headmaster Dumbledore, before being led by their prefects to Ravenclaw tower.
-oOo-
The first few months at school flew by, Hermione spent all of her time with her boys. They spent their evenings in the library and they sat together at the Ravenclaw table for every meal. Regulus received some comments about his spending time with a 'mudblood and blood traitor' but he brushed them off, if Lucius Malfoy or Bellatrix Black pushed him too hard, his reply was always that he wanted to remain close to the aurors son, information was priceless after all, and he was just using Hermione for her work. She had quickly been named the 'brightest witch' in the school.
Unfortunately, being named the smartest in the school in first year by their teachers did not help Hermione with her peers. Her housemates didn't care for being outshined, they didn't care that she was in their house, they didn't appreciate her refusal to join their study groups or explain how she learned magic so quickly, they also didn't care for Barty or her friendship with a Slytherin, thus she was shunned. The Slytherins taunted her and called her names, if Regulus was with her, they only glared and muttered under their breath, however when she was alone, she had to keep her guard up and a shield at the ready.
While Hufflepuff didn't technically do anything against her, they certainly didn't stop hexes or curses Slytherin sent her way, or report the abuse she was experiencing. Gryffindor left her alone, sometimes they would stand up for her, especially the prefects, but she knew that the Muggleborn, Lily Evans, didn't care for her place as smartest Muggleborn being taken, but she didn't cause Hermione problems. Sirius Black and his friends basically ignored that Hermione, Regulus, and Barty existed. Regulus had admitted that he was sure that Sirius was pretending that he had no brother, he hadn't spoken to or looked at him once since the Sorting. While that upset Hermione that his brother would abandon him, she was grateful to avoid the pranks she noticed that the Marauders played on Slytherins and other students they disliked.
Christmas break arrived sooner than they expected, Regulus was forced to return to his home. He would be going alone as Sirius stayed with the Potters every chance he got, meaning he would not be able to repair the bridge between them until the summer. Hermione was staying at the castle, while Barty was also returning home to see his mother who missed him greatly.
It was that Christmas that Hermione experienced what it was like to receive presents. She had not shared her birthday with the boys, deciding her birthday was not something she ever wanted to celebrate, even though she learned about Hogwarts on her birthday, she was not able to escape until the year after, thus her birthday remained as a reminder of the day her parents stopped loving her.
On her bed sat three gifts, one from Regulus, one from Barty, and one from Professor McGonagall. Regulus bought her a goblin made silver bracelet with a witch's hat on it, to remind her that no matter what others say, she is a witch. Barty bought her a Ravenclaw scarf and a first edition of Hogwarts: A History, to remind her of her home. Professor McGonagall gave her a collection of Jane Austen books, with a note explaining that Professor McGonagall saw how much she cared for her Pride and Prejudice book, and now she could enjoy them all.
After opening all of the gifts, Hermione had tears in her eyes. She had people who loved her, people who cared enough to buy her gifts and put thought into them. She hoped that Regulus liked his new wand holster and silver snake cufflinks that she purchased him, she also hoped that Barty loved his new winter cloak and book about Magical creatures.
It was a lonely Christmas break in the castle, not many students stayed behind and Hermione had no other friends. However, she kept herself busy by catching up on her homework and practicing spells she learned from books in the library. She was now into the third-year curriculum and performing all of the spells correctly each and every time.
The boys returned after New Year, hugged her for her gifts, and together they practiced the spells that Hermione found over Christmas Break.
-oOo-
After they had finished their exams, Hermione felt the sadness wash over her that she was leaving Hogwarts for the summer. She was still ostracized by her house and other students and every new spell she came across she completed successfully the first time. She had finished top of her year, beating all previous records, something many of the pureblood bigots didn't understand and had upset the older Ravenclaws. Lily Evans was also frustrating her, she constantly interrupted her study sessions to ask if they study together, something Hermione refused every time. She had watched Lily try and study, it was constantly interrupted by Severus Snape's dry sarcastic comments that made Lily giggle, or Marauders pranking Snape, or James professing his love to Lily. Hermione had no desire to deal with that when she was studying.
As they rode the train back to London, Hermione let out a sigh.
"What's up 'Mione?" asked Barty, not looking up from the wizard's chess game against Regulus.
"I just don't want to go home," answered Hermione honestly.
"Aren't you just going to stay at the Leaky again?" asked Regulus, looking up at her in concern.
"I was going to, but when I left my note to my parents, I did say I would return. I need to see if they still don't want me, what if this year away had them realize what they lost?" asked Hermione hopefully. She knew she was getting her hopes up, but the little girl inside of her couldn't help but be naïve and hope her parents truly did miss her.
Regulus didn't say anything, he understood what she hoped for and even if he didn't agree with her and knew what was going to happen, he didn't want to be the one to stomp on her hope. The journey back to London was similar to the journey to Hogwarts, they laughed and talked the whole ride, enjoying the friendship they had built together.
Regulus and Barty promised to keep in touch, and would visit Diagon Alley every chance they got if Hermione was there. She promised to send a message to them the minute she left her parents and returned to the Leaky, and if she did stay with her parents all summer, she promised to visit Diagon Alley to see them when she could.
-oOo-
Hermione McCallister may have become more mature than her age dictated, she may have had to grow up and look after herself, but in reality, she was still a twelve-year-old girl. She stood outside her house, having taken the Knight Bus from Kings Cross, it was a Saturday so her parents would be home. She was nervous to walk in, she didn't say good-bye to her parents, she just left a note. After being gone so long, she hoped her family would be happy to see her.
Unfortunately, Hermione was very, very wrong.
Before Hermione could walk towards the front door, it opened to reveal her mother.
"What are you doing back here?" she hissed, looking up and down the street for nosy neighbours.
"I finished school for the year, I am back for the summer," replied Hermione. Her mother frowned at her daughter and stomped over to her, grabbed her arm and dragged her in the house.
"How dare you leave for a special school without our permission!" her mother yelled at her when she closed the door behind her. She pushed Hermione away from her, letting go of the arm she had been holding too tightly.
"I was invited to the school, and I accepted. Not like you were around to ask anyways," Hermione replied without thought. The hand slapped her across the face before she even acknowledged her mother had walked closer to her, the sting on her cheek brought tears to her eyes.
"You are such a disrespectful brat! Should have gotten rid of you the moment I learned about it," huffed her mother. Hermione gasped at the honesty from her mother, she knew abortion was possible albeit controversial, she never thought her mother would wish she had gotten rid of her.
"If you do not want me, I can return to where I stayed last summer," replied Hermione, her hand covering her sore cheek.
"Until your father deals with you, you are going nowhere," answered Mrs. McCallister, grabbing Hermione's arm again and dragging her to her old room. She was thrown into the room before her mother slammed the door and she heard a click indicating it was locked. Hermione fell down on her bed and began to cry, she should never have returned here.
It was hours later that Hermione's door opened to reveal her angry father.
"Look who has decided to return," he said coldly, stalking into the room.
"Did you even notice I was gone?" asked Hermione, a hateful glare directed at her father. If she thought her mother's backhand was sore, it was nothing compared to her fathers. His gold wedding ring managed to break the skin open on her lip. Hermione let out a cry and held her face in her hands, tears falling down her cheeks.
"You will shut your mouth. I have called the police, you will not return to that school, you will remain here. They have put your name in the system with your picture, you are under orders to stay with us!" he laughed cruelly, walking out the room and slamming the door, locking it once more.
Hermione sobbed in her bed; she couldn't not return to Hogwarts.
Weeks passed by of her staying in her room, unable to leave. Her parents delivered a small meal each day, which looked like the leftovers from their own dinner. She looked out the window each day and wished one of the flying birds was an owl bringing her a message from her friends.
Yet nothing came. N
o one came for her.
Her boys wouldn't know how to contact her, and no one else cared about her.
-oOo-
It was a month into her summer holidays when she heard the doorbell ring. Her parents answered the door and not long after yelling was heard. Hermione's face scrunched up in confusion, she had never heard her parents argue with neighbours or friends before, that was only for family.
Not long after she heard the door, the yelling stopped, and footsteps on the stairs were heard. The door to her bedroom unlocked and when the door opened Hermione could have cried in joy, it was Professor McGonagall.
"Oh, my dear girl," she greeted Hermione sadly. Professor McGonagall looked at the young witch she had been teaching all year, her smartest student, and her heart dropped to her stomach. Her hair was matted to her head from dirt, the weight she had before she left Hogwarts was gone and she was nothing but skin and bones, and the fire in her eyes was almost gone entirely.
"Professor? What are you doing here?" Hermione asked.
"I am here to take you to the Leaky Cauldron," answered Professor McGonagall, "I told you last summer dear girl, I cannot be your guardian myself, but I will treat you as if you were my own. Now let us get you out of here."
Hermione didn't need to be told twice, she jumped up and walked towards the Professor. Without her trunk she had nothing in her room she needed to take. She informed the Professor that her parents had taken her trunk and she didn't know where it was. Hermione didn't need to worry; her professor had already retrieved her trunk and had sent it to the school.
Together they walked down the stairs to her front door where her parents both stood, their arms crossed and anger shrouding their faces.
"As I told you before I retrieved Hermione, she will return to Hogwarts. You cannot stop her; the Ministry of Magic will ensure you cannot prevent one of their witches or wizards from their place in our world," Professor McGonagall explained angrily.
"We should be able to do what we want with our daughter. The police know that she is a runaway and must stay here," answered Mr. McCallister.
"We have our own connections with the police, we will inform them of the situation," Hermione's teacher and saviour replied to the shock of her parents, "Yes, we witch's and wizards are quite intertwined with your society. To maintain the legal stipulations for Hermione, she will return for one week of the summer each year. The police will be checking up on her too, however, therefore I suggest not locking her in a room for the entire duration."
Hermione didn't like the sound of coming back every summer, but was happy to hear her parents were going to be monitored as well.
"You cannot be serious; this is our home and we do not need police coming to visit. We are respectable members of this society," Mrs. McCallister tried to argue. Professor McGonagall looked at her coldly before replying.
"Respectful members of society do not treat their children as you have treated Hermione. She is an intelligent young girl, I would be honoured to have her as a daughter, yet you, her parents, leave her to feed herself, do not speak to her, neglect her! Why? Because she is an incredibly gifted witch with a desire for greatness. Respectful members of society would encourage that, would support her dreams. I have looked into you, not only have you done none of that, you have actively prevented it. If I could ensure Hermione never returned here I would, however, I did the next best thing and that was inform the authorities that you were not respectful members of society. Not only did the police agree to monitor you, they are now disillusioned to your façade in public. Good luck in your futures, Mr. and Mrs. McCallister, Hermione and I shall see you next summer," Professor McGonagall spoke before leading Hermione outside and towards an Apparition point.
"Thank you, Professor," Hermione said quietly.
"My dear, I am sorry that I left you there for so long. I was unable to leave the school until the week following your departure, and then I have been working with the police, aurors, and lawyers trying to determine a legal way to help you. After your friends reached out to me voicing their concerns that you were not communicating with them, well it helped push the muggle authorities for something they call a 'wellness check'. Thankfully, I have some friends in the Ministry that helped me find a way to help you get away from them. Unfortunately, I still cannot house you and there are no foster homes in the wizarding world. Based on the families of your friends, you cannot stay with them, therefore my friend and I determined that you can stay at the Leaky, as I learned you did last summer," Professor McGonagall looked down at her sternly, "However, my friend will have to check up on you every few days, to ensure your safety and care for the records. Can you agree to that?"
"Of course, anything to stay in the wizarding world," answered Hermione honestly. Her answer saddened her teacher, she wished that they had a department in the ministry that cared for the children. She knew the muggle world had laws to protect the children from neglect and abuse, but their government and society was incredibly behind in some areas. The Transfiguration understood that the muggles did not sit idle and necessity and creativity led to innovation, without it their society wouldn't advance. Whereas, the wizarding world had magic and innovation was not as frequent due to there being no need for it, thus their society was stuck in an almost Victorian era.
They Apparated to the Leaky Cauldron, where her professor had her checked in to a room. She ensured that Hermione would be well taken care of and would charge her account rather than from the money she gave Hermione. She wanted the girl to spend her money on her school supplies and treats for herself and friends, not on a roof over her head or food from the inn. She bid her student farewell, informed her of the name of the auror that would visit her, and returned to the school. The professor then devoted her summer to reading up on the laws of child protection and guardianship in the wizarding world. Unfortunately, she found nothing and by the end of the summer, was exactly where she was at the beginning.
-oOo-
Hermione's summer took a positive turn after escaping her parents. She was able to enjoy the outside world, she could read her books, and eat more luxurious meals, but best of all? She got to see her friends again.
It was the very next morning, after sending them both a message, that Barty and Regulus appeared in Diagon Alley. She greeted them both with big hugs and together they spent their summer visiting the ice cream shop, buying their school supplies, and going over the year's curriculum. Every day Hermione felt herself become more and more herself again, leaving behind the morose and depressed version of herself after being locked away for a month. They ran into people they knew from school from time to time, most of the time they were ignored, sometimes there were a few glares or muttered comments. The worst was when they ran into either Malfoy, the Black sisters, or Sirius Black.
Lucius Malfoy didn't understand why Regulus spent time with Hermione or Barty, often voiced it loudly to Regulus. However, Regulus would simply reply with the need to surround himself with connections and people to serve him, a scion of the noble house of Black. Hermione hated seeing the haughty, pureblood side of Regulus, but she understood it. He explained that he was receiving more pressure to be the perfect pureblooded son as Sirius rebelled more. Sirius was going into third year, and had been warned he had until his OWLs, to get his rebellious side out of his system.
Regulus had had to explain his friendship with Hermione and Barty numerous times to his parents. He simply told them that the son of an auror was an important connection, Barty did not care for his father and if he cultivated the friendship properly, he would have an invaluable ally. His father had complimented him, telling him he was proud of his Slytherin cunning. While he had told them that Hermione was smart, finishing top of their year, and it was best to keep your enemies close, they did not understand. His mother had warned him that the filth and germs of a mudblood were not worth his weight in gold or knowledge. Better they were dead and exterminated from the world, she had said, Regulus had argued that a slave was more useful, a sentence that left his mouth tasting of ash. Especially after he noticed that Sirius had heard and was looking at him in disgust.
Barty admitted that his father had cornered him and demanded an answer on him being friends with a Black. While Barty was confident and had lost his stutter with his friends and at school, his father brought it back out. He had tried to tell his father that Regulus wasn't that bad and was quite friendly, however nothing came out but stutters. Barty Crouch Sr. had demanded he break ties with Regulus, but his mother had put a stop to that. She told her husband that Barty could be friends with anyone he wanted and his father had no right to stop that. His father conceded, muttering that a pair of eyes on the Black family was not unwanted. After that day, Barty Crouch Sr. asked his son many questions about his friends, yet he received none of the answers he desired.
During the summer, she was approached a few times by the auror Professor McGonagall warned her about. Alastor Moody was a powerful auror, he was a paranoid man, with good reason from what Hermione guessed after seeing the missing leg and variety of scars. He seemed content with her ability to look after herself, and mostly just asked her if she needed anything, which she replied in the negative. He only visited her once a week, he was a busy auror after all.
Hermione, Regulus, and Barty returned to Hogwarts for their second year of school, the year turning out much like the previous. Hermione was hated by the Slytherins, disliked by the Ravenclaws, and ignored by the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors. They spent their meals at the end of the Ravenclaw table, closest to the teachers table, and their evenings in the library. When Regulus was in the Slytherin Common Room, Hermione and Barty would spend time together in the Ravenclaw Tower. Regulus and Barty both returned home for the Christmas holidays, and Hermione stayed at the castle. From her boys she received a charm each for her bracelet, a book from Barty to represent their house of intellect and her bookworm personality, and an owl, with it's wings spread open, from Regulus to represent her freedom from home.
Hermione finished the exams top of her year again, once again bringing the resentful and envious eyes of many on her, yet she ignored them all. She continued to hold back in class with her practical spells, therefore she put everything into her exams. While she understood keeping her power hidden, she would not sacrifice proving her place in this world. She heard them still question where she got her magic, her smarts, saying she didn't belong, her blood was dirty. She heard the whispers and the mutterings, she endured the loud verbal abuse, but she would not back down. She would keep her head held high and continue to prove her place in this world.
Once again, Hermione returned to her parents' house, upon her entering with Professor McGonagall, they simply glared at her and advised her that dinner was at six. After a week of tense silence in the house, Alastor Moody picked her up and returned her to the Leaky Cauldron for the remainder of the summer.
That was how Hermione, Regulus, and Barty spent their years, that is until everything changed the summer before their fifth year.
A/N: Please read and review! Next chapter, Hermione's adventures in her new life truly begin!